Sens take 2-1 series lead with dominant 6-1 win over Habs
Posted May 6, 2013 12:30:12 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – Jean Gabriel Pageau became only the second Senator in history to score a hat-trick as Ottawa crushed the Montreal Canadiens 6-1, snatching a 2-1 series lead.
The 20-year-old, born in Ottawa, brought the crowd of 20,249 at Scotiabank Place to its feet and had them chanting his name throughout the third period. The fans even modified the song “Ole” – often sung by Habs fans – to “Pageau” instead.
Pageau also got credit for the game winning goal – a breakaway marker past Carey Price. The forward lost a tooth on the play, after taking a high stick from Habs defenceman PK Subban.
“I might put it under my pillow and see what happens,” said Pageau. “I wish I could lose another one if we could win the next game too.”
The Captain, Daniel Alfredsson, is the only other Sens player to notch a hat-trick in the playoffs.
“He picked the corners perfectly, all three of them,” said Alfredsson. “The right height and shooting in movement makes it very hard for the goalie. I’m very happy for him.”
Alfredsson opened the scoring in the first period with a power-play goal on a 5-on-3 advantage. Kyle Turris and Jacob Silfverberg also scored for Ottawa, while Rene Bourque notched the lone goal for Montreal.
Fight Night
Game 3 was also highlighted by numerous fights, including a 5-on-5 brawl at center ice. Ottawa’s tough guy line of Neil-Smith-Kassian, along with defencemen Cowen and Phillips, all dropped the gloves on the same shift. The Sens handled themselves very well, and received a rousing standing ovation in the aftermath.
Sens forward Chris Neil was a part of it and said he was happy with how the team defended themselves.
“If you look at the play, White starts the whole thing,” said Neil. “We answered the bell and stuck together. We’re a close knit group here and that’s why we’re in the playoffs.”
The two teams combined for 236 total penalty minutes.
Coaching Duel
After the game, Habs coach Michel Therien expressed his distaste with Sens coach Paul MacLean calling a timeout with 17 seconds left in the game.
Therien accused MacLean of trying to humiliate the Canadiens.
“As far as I’m concerned that was classless,” said Therien.
MacLean said he called the timeout to protect his players.
“I didn’t want anyone to get hurt, it was already getting dumb enough as it was,” said MacLean. “I have two important players on my team and I still have games to play. We’re not giving them a freebie. There’s already enough of that.”
Injury Notes
Sens defeceman Patrick Wiercioch left the game with a lower-body injury. MacLean didn’t have an update on his status after the game.
There’s no question this rivalry between the Sens and Habs is for real. With bad blood between the players, coaches and fans, it should make for a fantastic finish to this series.
The Senators have an optional practice on Monday. Game 4 goes Tuesday night at Scotiabank Place.
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